Which Way to Turn?

You are flying the VOR-A approach into Salem Memorial (K33) in your Cessna 182. The airport has no tower, with Class E airspace starting at 700 feet AGL. The winds favor Runway 17. You dive n drive after the DME stepdown and break out at 680 feet AGL with the runway in sight two miles ahead. Do you (a) cross midfield and make left downwind to 17, or (b) turn right to the upwind leg for Runway 17 and make left traffic from there, or (c) turn left before reaching the airport and make right traffic for 17.

Editorial Staff

Thursday, July 13, 2017 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

IFR pilots conducting circling approaches at uncontrolled Class G airports must adhere to standard left-hand traffic patterns (14 CFR 91.126(b)), a rule confirmed by FAA Chief Counsel and not subject to pilot discretion.
This regulation is crucial for integrating IFR flights with VFR traffic and preventing conflicts; while ATC cannot authorize deviations in Class G airspace, they can do so in Class E airspace due to their jurisdiction.
Ultimately, pilot in command (PIC) responsibility for safety dictates considering the airport's standard traffic pattern direction, even during complex IFR circling approaches, to minimize risks and avoid interference with other aircraft.

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You are flying the VOR-A approach into Salem Memorial (K33) in your Cessna 182. The airport has no tower, with Class E airspace starting at 700 feet AGL. The winds favor Runway 17. You “dive ‘n drive” after the DME stepdown and break out at 680 feet AGL with the runway in sight two miles ahead. Do you (a) cross midfield and make left downwind to 17, or (b) turn right to the upwind leg for Runway 17 and make left traffic from there, or (c) turn left before reaching the airport and make right traffic for 17.

All three sound like reasonable choices. Each will enable you to keep the runway in sight while maneuvering for landing. If you choose (c) because, after all, you are IFR, you’re not alone. But you probably busted 14 CFR 91.126(b).